Anna Univ’s IoE tag: TN to ask MHRD to bear 75% funding

The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

Published: 12th September 2019 06:20 AM

College of Engineering at Anna University campus | Express

By Binita Jaiswal

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government will soon write to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), requesting it to provide grants to the extent of 70% to 75% of the sum required for Anna University to be declared as the Institution of Eminence (IoE).

Higher Education secretary, Mangat Ram Sharma told Express that he will request the MHRD to provide at least 70% to 75% of the funds and the remaining 25% would be borne by the State. “We don’t want to lose the opportunity of getting the IoE status for Anna University. An attempt will be made to request the MHRD to lower the amount of the state government’s share. If we don’t receive any positive response on the matter from them, then we will take a final call on the issue,” said Sharma to Express.

Anna University was recommended by the UGC empowered committee, for getting the IoE status with a rider that the Tamil Nadu government should give up to 50% of the grant along with the Centre, that the varsity will receive under the scheme over five years.


Officials in the higher education department said it would be difficult to bear the 50% share for the state government. The officials said when Anna University applied for the IoE status at that time, no such norm was in place for half amount to be borne by state government.

New iPhones to come to India from September 27 for Rs 64,900 onwards; old versions get price cuts

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

Published: 11th September 2019 11:46 PM 

Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the latest iPhone during an event to announce new products Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, in Cupertino, Calif. | AP

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Apple enthusiasts will be able to get their hands on the latest line-up of iPhones -- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max -- priced Rs 64,900 onwards from September 27.

The Cupertino-based tech giant has also revised prices of its older generation iPhone models in India with the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) now available at Rs 29,900.

"iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the most powerful and advanced smartphones we have ever made.

They are packed with sophisticated technology that pros can count on to get their work done, and for anyone who wants the best device made, even if they are not a pro," Apple Senior Vice-President (Worldwide Marketing) Phil Schiller had said.


iPhone 11 -- the base model -- will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants priced at Rs 64,900 onwards.

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be available in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB variants starting at Rs 99,900 and Rs 1,09,900, respectively.

The iPhone 11 Pro introduces a triple-camera system with ultrawide, wide and telephoto cameras, deeply integrated into its iOS (operating system).

The iOS 13 will be available on September 19 as a free software update for iPhone 6s and later versions.

After the revision of the prices of older generation phones, the iPhone 7 (32GB variant) at Rs 29,900 is probably the most affordable device available in the country from the premium smartphone maker's stable.

There may be older version phones available with certain retailers.

According to Apple India's website, the iPhone 8 (64GB) is now retailing at Rs 39,900 (from Rs 59,900 earlier), while iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone XR (64GB) are available for Rs 49,900.

The iPhone XS (64GB) at Rs 89,900, while the 256GB variant will retail for Rs 1,03,900.

India is key market for phone makers globally.

Smartphone shipment in India registered a healthy 9.9 per cent year-on-year growth at 36.9 million units in the June 2019 quarter with premium category growing at an even faster pace.

Apple competes in the premium category with players such as Samsung and OnePlus.

Recently, Apple had said the Indian market "bounced back" in the June quarter as the company logged strong double-digit growth in the country.

Apple, which announced its third-quarter numbers in July, clocked 1 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue at USD 53.8 billion for the quarter ended June.

International sales accounted for 59 per cent of the quarter's topline.

The company, however, does not give out country-specific numbers.

The company follows October-September fiscal year.

The firm has also stated that it is keen on offering online and in-store experiences to Indian users at par with its global standards and aims to open its maiden retail store in India.

Apart from iPhones, Apple has also introduced the new seventh-generation iPad that has more screen area and support for the full-sized Smart Keyboard to its popular and affordable iPad stable.

In India, the new iPad will be available at a starting price of Rs 29,900.

It has also launched Series 5 of the Apple Watch, debuting an "Always-On" retina display that "never sleeps, so it's easy to see the time and other important information, without raising or tapping the display".

The Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS version) starts at Rs 40,900 and Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS plus Cellular models) starts at Rs 49,900.

The third-generation Apple Watch, with built-in GPS, optical heart rate sensor and water resistance, will start at a new lower price of Rs 20,900 and at Rs 29,900 for the GPS and cellular versions.

Besides, Apple also announced the 'Apple TV+' -- an all-original video subscription service -- that will launch on November 1 in over 100 countries and regions, including India.

The service -- which will compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos -- will offer a full line-up of original shows, movies and documentaries, including 'Servant', a thriller from Indian-American filmmaker M Night Shyamalan.

Apple TV+ will be available on the Apple TV app for Rs 99 per month with a seven-day free trial starting November 1 on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd generation), iPod touch and Mac.

It will also be available on the Apple TV app on select 2018, 2019 and newer Samsung smart TVs, and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Roku, Sony and VIZIO platforms in the future.

More Rajdhani services from tomorrow

12/09/2019,AJEET MAHALE MUMBAI

The Central Railway (CR) will increase the frequency of the Rajdhani Express, which runs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Hazrat Nizamuddin station in Delhi.

The service, which runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, will now run on Mondays and Fridays too.

Union Minister for Railways Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the additional service at CSMT on Friday, along with other amenities.

Scolded over video game, boy ends life

12/09/2019, STAFF REPORTER,VISAKHAPATNAM

A 15-year-old boy allegedly ended his life after his parents scolded him for spending too much time playing PUBG in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

Inspector Pydapu Naidu said Lohith’s parents reportedly reprimanded him over his addiction to the game. “Lohith was spending too much time on his mobile phone playing PUBG. His parents were worried about his addiction and they confiscated his mobile phone recently. Lohith went into depression and allegedly consumed pesticide on August 21. He was undergoing treatment at King George Hospital and succumbed on Wednesday,” Mr. Naidu said.

A case has been registered under Section 174 CrPC (unnatural death), Mr. Naidu said.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) has gained a reputation for being a wildly addictive game, and has stoked a debate across the country on whether it should be banned. Calls for a ban increased in the wake of a number of teenagers and adolescents ending their lives after being confronted by their families over their addiction to the game.

There have also been incidents of youngsters killing their family members after their phones were confiscated in a bid to stop their addiction to the game. The incident has sent shockwaves in Visakhapatnam as is the first time that it witnessed a case of suicide related to gaming addiction.

Those battling suicidal thoughts are urged to contact police helpline 100 for counselling.

Narrow escape for 40 as boat capsizes in Kollidam river

12/09/2019, C. JAISANKAR ,ARIYALUR

As many as 40 persons had a narrow escape after a boat capsized in the Kollidam river near Melaramanallur in Ariyalur district on Wednesday.

The group, including 14 women of a few villages in Thanjavur district, had gone to Melaramanallur, an islet in the Kollidam river, to attend a temple function.

A motorised boat that ferried them on their way back developed a technical snag and subsequently the boat capsized in the river in full flow after about 20,000 cusecs of surplus water was released from the Mukkombu Upper Anicut.

While the male passengers of the boat managed to swim to safety, women passengers struggled for a while before residents of neighbouring Karuppur village rescued them despite darkness setting in. The Fire and Rescue Service personnel also joined them in the rescue operation. A Senior police officer told The Hindu that all aboard the boat were rescued.

Married in the presence of their Amma

AIADMK functionary arranges son’s wedding at former CM Jayalalithaa’s memorial

12/09/2019, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

Steeped in symbolism: Floral arrangements were made to resemble the party’s Two Leaves symbol.

The burial site of late All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa on the Marina beachfront here was decorated with flowers on Wednesday morning. However, this time, no leader was visiting to announce a major decision of his career. Instead, a young couple arrived to get married.

The bridegroom’s father and AIADMK functionary, S. Bavani Sankar, said, “I have been an ardent fan of our Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (Jayalalithaa). I badly wanted her to come for my son’s wedding but fate took her away from this world rather soon! Still, we didn’t want to give up, so we arranged the wedding there [at the memorial] to get her blessings,”

During the auspicious time of 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the bridegroom, S. B. Sambasivaraman alias Sathish, married R. Deepika in the presence of senior AIADMK functionaries, including Tamil Magan Hussain and former Minister S. Gokula Indira, at Jayalalithaa’s memorial. The floral arrangements were made to resemble the party’s Two Leaves symbol, and Jayalalithaa’s portrait was garlanded.

“I will never forget this day. Even if we had arranged the wedding in a hall, it would not have been this special. We felt as if Amma has personally blessed our children. We have also arranged for a reception in the evening,” said Mr. Sankar, who recalled having been a strong supporter of Jayalalithaa since his youth. “I was so upset when Amma announced she was quitting politics, and happy when she returned.”

Other party leaders were unable to attend as they were away. AIADMK co-coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was in Salem to attend a private function, and party coordinator O. Panneerselvam could not make it, though their names figured in the wedding invitation.

“I hope they will attend the reception,” Mr. Sankar said.

Rain creates new falls in Yercaud forests

Forest officials warn people against bathing at such spots

12/09/2019, STAFF REPORTER ,SALEM

One of the newly-formed waterfalls in Yercaud.E. Lakshmi Narayanan

Heavy rain in Yercaud has led to new waterfalls forming at various places in the foothills. Sensing that tourists might make a beeline to such spots, Forest Department officials have warned the public against trespassing into forest areas and bathing at such falls.

The mini falls are located deep inside the forests, and people find these places ideal picnic spots. As these falls are located at least three to four kilometres inside the forests, people have to trek to these spots. Forest officials said people could not get to these areas without obtaining proper permission from the department.

District Forest Officer A. Periasamy discouraged the public from taking out trips to these places as they were located in the reserve forest areas. Entering these places without permission would amount to trespass and would attract action, he said.